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Lots of talk preop and 2 weeks post op of exactly how much of this how much of that. This weekend I move on to mushies then soft. Do people litterally keep a notebook of what they eat every day? Do you track Protein? calories? Fat? This is suddenly feeling very overwhelming and what felt very strict 2 weeks ago is suddenly a little less strict and scary.

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I don't weigh, measure, or count anything. It is up to you if you want to do it that way. Many bandsters weigh, measure, count and journal every day and it works out great for them. I just find it too overwhelming and time consuming.

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The first 2-3 weeks, I kept a notebook where I recorded my amounts of Protein and Water, just to make sure that I was getting enough in. Since then, I count nothing. I tried it a couple of times when I was in a plateau, but I don't find it useful, and it makes me crazy. Other people on here seem to thrive on the record-keeping, but I am not that person.

Cindy

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I weigh all of my food and then use fitday.com or myfitnesspal.com which then gives me my calories, Protein levels, fat levels, carb count, etc. for each meal. I never thought I'd be one to do it but I've done it since day one and it doesn't take very long. It helps to keep me on track, especially when it comes to my calories and carbs.

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Lots of talk preop and 2 weeks post op of exactly how much of this how much of that. This weekend I move on to mushies then soft. Do people litterally keep a notebook of what they eat every day? Do you track Protein? calories? Fat? This is suddenly feeling very overwhelming and what felt very strict 2 weeks ago is suddenly a little less strict and scary.

I kept a food diary for the 1st year (til I got to goal) I counted calories 800-1200 daily and varied them - I counted pt grams too and logged my exercise. I weighted and measured for the about 3 months till I could eye ball what 3-4 oz looked like - and I will still pull out scale even now when I'm not sure.. ..

I read lables - I know the calories of 99.9% of the foods I eat and what a correct portion size is I used these as learning tools- why - cuz that's why we got fat in the 1st place- eating 3000-4000 cal a day - Yes the band restricts your food intake once you get restriction - but even then you can eat 1/2 gallon of ice cream or 10 candy bars - or 5 cups of mashed potatoes with no problems/restriction as these are sliders

So imho - I think that learning what 4 oz looks like and not guessing is good - I think knowing that 1/2 cup of mac & cheese has approx 150 cal 11 grms pt 47 grms carbs..

Where as 4 oz of baked salmon has 140 cal - 23 grms pt 0 carbs & 1/4 cup spinach has about 20 cal -

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food and activity tracking should be the first tools employed when you fail to meet your goals.

This is also about the only way to ensure you're getting all the nutrients your body needs. I was shocked to learn how vitamin/mineral deficient my diet was! By tracking and using a wonderful book called "The World's Healthiest Foods" by George Mateljan, I'm able to fill the holes in my diet and stay well-fueled.

Brad

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    • LeighaTR

      I am new here today... and only two weeks out from my sleeve surgery on the 23rd. I am amazed I have kept my calories down to 467 today so far... that leaves me almost 750 left for dinner and maybe a snack. This is going to be tough for two weeks... but I have to believe I can do it!
      · 0 replies
      1. This update has no replies.
    • Doughgurl

      Hey everyone. I'm new here so I thought I should introduce myself. I am 53y/o and am scheduled for Gastric Bypass on June 25th, 2025. I'm located in San Antonio, Texas. I will be having my surgery in Tiajuana Mexico. I've wanted this for years, but I always had insurance where bariatric procedures were excluded. Finally I am able to afford to pay out of pocket.  I can't wait to get started, and I hope I'm prepared for the initial period of "hell". I know what I have signed up for, but I'm sure the good to come will out way the temporary period of discomfort and feelings of regret. I'd love to find people to talk to who have been through the same procedure or experience before. So I look forward to meeting you all. Hope you have a great week!
      · 2 replies
      1. Selina333

        I'm so happy for you! You are about to change your life. I was so glad to get the sleeve done in Dec. I didn't have feelings of regret overall. And I'm down almost 60 lbs. I do feel a little sad at restaurants. I can barely eat half a kid's meal. I get adults meals often because kid ones don't have the same offerings at times. Then I feel obligated to eat on that until it's gone and that can be days. So the restaurant thing isn't great for me. All the rest is fine by me! I love feeling full with very little. I do wish I could drink when eating. And will sip at the end. Just a strong habit to stop. But I'm working on it! You will do fine! Just keep focused on your desire to be different. Not better or worse. But different. I am happy both ways but my low back doesn't like me that heavy. So I listened (also my feet!). LOL! Update us on your journey! I'm not far from you. I'm in Houston. Good luck and I hope it all goes smoothly! Would love to see pics of the town you go to for this. I've never been there. Neat you will be traveling for this! Enjoy the journey. Take it one day at a time. Sometimes a few hours at a time. Follow all recommendations as best you can. 💗

      2. Doughgurl

        Thank you so much for your well wishes. I am hoping that everything goes easy for me as well. We don't eat out much as it is, so it wont be too bad in that department. Thankfully. Also, I hear you regarding your back and feet!! I'd like to add knees to the list. Killing me as we speak! I'm only 5' so the weight has to go. Too short to carry all this weight. Menopause really did a doosey on me. (😶lol) My daughter also lives in Houston. with her Husband and my 5 grand-littles. I grew up in Beaumont, so I know Houston well, I will be sure to keep in touch and update you on my journey. I may need some advice in the future, or just motivation. Thank You so much for reaching out, I was hoping to connect with someone in the community. I really appreciate it. 💜

    • Alisa_S

      On day 4 of the 2 week liquid pre-op diet. Surgery scheduled for June 11th.
      Soooo I am coming to a realization
      of something and I'm not sure what to do about it. For years the only thing I've enjoyed is eating. We rarely do anything or go anywhere and if we do it always includes food. Family comes over? Big family dinner! Go camping? Food! Take a short ride or trip? Food! Holiday? Food! Go out of town for a Dr appointment? Food! When we go to a new town we don't look for any attractions, we look for restaurants we haven't been to. Heck, I look forward to getting off work because that means it's almost supper time. Now that I'm drinking these pre-op shakes for breakfast, lunch, and supper I have nothing to look forward to.  And once I have surgery on June 11th it'll be more of the same shakes. Even after pureed stage, soft food stage, and finally regular food stage, it's going to be a drastic change for the rest of my life. I'm giving up the one thing that really brings me joy. Eating. How do you cope with that? What do you do to fill that void? Wow. Now I'm sad.
      · 1 reply
      1. LeighaTR

        I hope your surgery on Wednesday goes well. You will be able to do all sorts of new things as you find your new normal after surgery. I don't know this from experience yet, but I am seeing a lot of positive things from people who have had it done. Best of luck!

    • Alisa_S

      On day 4 of the 2 week liquid pre-op diet. Surgery scheduled for June 11th.
      Soooo I am coming to a realization
      of something and I'm not sure what to do about it. For years the only thing I've enjoyed is eating. We rarely do anything or go anywhere and if we do it always includes food. Family comes over? Big family dinner! Go camping? Food! Take a short ride or trip? Food! Holiday? Food! Go out of town for a Dr appointment? Food! When we go to a new town we don't look for any attractions, we look for restaurants we haven't been to. Heck, I look forward to getting off work because that means it's almost supper time. Now that I'm drinking these pre-op shakes for breakfast, lunch, and supper I have nothing to look forward to.  And once I have surgery on June 11th it'll be more of the same shakes. Even after pureed stage, soft food stage, and finally regular food stage, it's going to be a drastic change for the rest of my life. I'm giving up the one thing that really brings me joy. Eating. How do you cope with that? What do you do to fill that void? Wow. Now I'm sad.
      · 1 reply
      1. summerseeker

        Life as a big person had limited my life to what I knew I could manage to do each day. That was eat. I hadn't anything else to look forward to. So my eating choices were the best I could dream up. I planned the cooking in managable lots in my head and filled my day with and around it.

        Now I have a whole new big, bigger, biggest, best days ever. I am out there with those skinny people doing stuff i could never have dreamt of. Food is now an after thought. It doesn't consume my day. I still enjoy the good home cooked food but I eat smaller portions. I leave food on my plate when I am full. I can no longer hear my mother's voice saying eat it all up, ther are starving children in Africa who would want that!

        I still cook for family feasts, I love cooking. I still do holidays but I have changed from the All inclusive drinking and eating everything everyday kind to Self catering accommodation. This gives me the choice of cooking or eating out as I choose. I rarely drink anymore as I usually travel alone now and I feel I need to keep aware of my surroundings.

        I don't know at what point my life expanded, was it when I lost 100 pounds? Was it when I left my walking stick at home ? Was it when I said yes to an outing instead of finding an excuse to stay home ? i look back at my last five years and wonder how loosing weight has made such a difference. Be ready to amaze yourself.

        BTW, the liquid diet sucks, one more day and you are over the worst. You can do it.

    • CaseyP1011

      Officially here for a long time, not just a good time💪
      · 0 replies
      1. This update has no replies.
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